Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!
Chapter 31: Coldwind City Championships.

Chapter 31: Coldwind City Championships.

Fang Yuan let out a soft breath and closed the glowing System Shop tab with a flick of his finger.

The interface dissolved into motes of light, vanishing from sight—though the lingering temptation of the [Hollow Spirit Pill] still hovered at the edge of his thoughts.

But before he could reflect further, a rustle of robes and the subtle clink of ceremonial accessories signaled the approach of the Five Great Family heads.

Zhao Ming stepped forward first, his smile rigid and eyes unreadable. "Family Head Fang, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on securing your rightful position. Coldwind City stands stronger with you in it."

"Indeed," He Long added, voice smooth but clearly strained. "It is a... great relief to see stability restored to the Fang Family."

Wu Shun offered a polite nod, his words more measured. "A strong Fang is a strong city. We look forward to continuing our... cooperation."

Fang Yuan greeted them all with a calm smile, offering only slight nods in return. "The strength of the city lies in its unity. I’m merely doing my part."

And then Matriarch Lin Xi stepped forward, her presence more refined than the others, a porcelain teacup still in hand.

"I offer not just congratulations," she said evenly, "but respect. You haven’t only secured your place as Family Head... you’ve secured the Fang Family’s future."

Her words, while simple, carried weight—and sincerity.

Fang Yuan inclined his head slightly, meeting her gaze with equal poise. "You honor me, Matriarch Lin."

As the group stood momentarily in civil silence, the other three family heads glanced subtly at one another.

Though none would dare speak ill of Fang Yuan to his face, the bitterness in their hearts couldn’t be hidden from themselves.

They had come expecting to watch the Fang Family fracture. Instead, they had witnessed its ascent under a monster.

Yet just as resentment threatened to fester, their thoughts turned instinctively to the younger generation.

Yes, they thought. There was still hope.

Because while Fang Yuan had risen like a dragon above mortals, the rest of the Fang youths were... ordinary at best. Some even laughably behind in their cultivation stages.

It was almost uncanny. As though Fang Yuan’s brilliance had cast a shadow so vast, it drained the light from the rest of his clan.

Wu Shun sipped his wine and muttered to himself, "It’s as if all their potential was fed to him."

Zhao Ming grunted, half-agreeing. "That kind of talent... shouldn’t even be born into a mid-tier family."

He Long didn’t speak, but his eyes scanned the nearby Fang disciples—each one laughing, feasting without a care in the world as they let themselves lost in the pleasure.

If the Fang Family was to rise, it would rise on Fang Yuan’s back alone.

And if he fell... it would collapse just as swiftly.

Fang Yuan naturally heard the murmurs between the clan heads—none of them subtle enough to escape a Nascent Soul cultivator’s spiritual perception.

He didn’t react though, there was no need.

They were competitors first, neighbors second. A little jealousy was healthy. Encouraging, even.

He would make good use of it.

If the other families’ younger generations surpassed the Fang juniors, so be it. Let them gloat.

Nothing spurred improvement like rivalry. A few bruised egos now might birth the future pillars of the clan later.

Still seated at the head of the pavilion, Fang Yuan tilted his cup and glanced toward the guests.

His gaze landed on the silver-robed girl standing at the edge of the courtyard, ever graceful, her posture like that of a noble swan amidst restless koi.

"Miss Xie Lin," he called out casually. "Why don’t you come and join us at the main table? It’s not every day we get a disciple of Pill King Tushan among us."

There was a brief silence, followed by a few exchanged glances. Some servants even started preparing a place near him.

But Xie Lin offered a polite bow and gently declined.

"I appreciate the Family Head’s generosity," she said with a faint smile, "but I must refuse. I am still underaged. My master forbids alcohol before a certain age, regardless of cultivation."

Fang Yuan blinked.

"You need to reach a certain age to drink?" he echoed, visibly puzzled. "I... didn’t know that."

The surrounding elders chuckled quietly at his confusion, though no one dared explain. It was rare to see Fang Yuan caught off-guard by a mundane rule.

He gave a slow nod and chuckled faintly, waving the moment off. "Then I’ll respect your master’s wishes. Still, you are a guest of honor tonight. Make yourself comfortable."

"Thank you, Family Head," Xie Lin replied with another respectful nod.

As the banquet eased into a more comfortable rhythm, the heads of the Five Great Families remained near the main pavilion, sipping wine and engaging in the kind of conversation that was less about meaning and more about posturing.

Wu Shun, always the most direct, swirled his cup once and said, "Speaking of promising juniors... The Coldwind City Championship is coming up again, isn’t it? Just under three months now."

His tone was casual, but the glance he shot at Fang Yuan was anything but idle.

"Ah yes," He Long chimed in smoothly, leaning slightly on his cane. "A tradition that reminds the youths to keep sharpening themselves. This year should be particularly exciting."

He raised his cup toward Zhao Ming with a half-smile.

"I heard your son Zhao Ren has already reached late Qi Transformation realm. That’s... quite impressive for his age."

Zhao Ming chuckled modestly, though a hint of pride gleamed in his eyes. "Ren works hard, that’s all. But I’ve also heard promising things about your nephew, He Yong. Late Qi Transformation as well, isn’t he?"

He Long chuckled, brushing a hand over his beard. "He’s not as elegant as Ren, but he’s fierce in duels. If they meet in the ring this year, it might be the most exciting match we’ve had in a decade."

Wu Shun let out a short laugh. "Only if they don’t get flattened by that girl from my clan—Wu Min. She’s already refined her first battle technique to completion.

If she breaks through to Mid–Qi Transformation before the event, even boys like Ren and Yong will struggle."

"Mm," Zhao Ming grunted. "The Wu Clan does tend to produce aggressive ones."

This chapter is updated by freew(e)bnovel.(c)om